Saturday, February 18th, 2017, will mark the first launch in 5 years from Kennedy Space Center LC-39. Pad 39A last saw usage for the final launch of the Space Shuttle Program, STS-135, in 2011, and since then has been only slightly modified from its shuttle configuration to accommodate the future SpaceX Commercial Crew Missions to the International Space Station.
Honestly, I have mixed feelings about this. My opinions of SpaceX have decreased following their Mars Booster Proposal, and while I still support the core active SpaceX programs of Falcon9, Dragon, and the like, I find it sad that NASA’s LC-39A is being used for their own private interests, rather than more strictly NASA missions.
LC-39B, the sister pad of 39A, is currently configured much as it was during the Apollo program in preparation for the SLS booster, planned for future missions to the Moon and beyond. 39A though, the legendary pad used for nearly all Apollo missions, and a majority of the Shuttle flights, is now being used by a private company, in NASA’s interest of course, but it’s still something that just doesn’t set well with me.
Regardless, at least the pad will get back to use. A test firing was completed on February 12th marking the first time flames had gone through the trenches of 39A since July 8th, 2011 and the final launch of Atlantis. I hope to be able to catch the launch live – it will be a somber event, but regardless, progress has to be made.